Chester A Arthur

Chester A. Arthur

American politician

Moustache type: Half-horseshoe

Born: 5 10 1829 (Fairfield, Vermont, USA)
Died: 18 11 1886 (New York City, New York, USA, aged 57, heart failure)

Abraham Lincoln was the first president of the United States of America to sport facial hair, with his famous (perverted) beard-but-no-moustache look. Arthur’s three immediate predecessors, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes and James Garfield had full beards but America had to wait for its 21st president before they were led by a man with a moustache.

Chester Alan Arthur, a Republican, was sworn in after the assassination of Garfield, for whom he had served as vice president. Some suspected Arthur as having been complicit in his predecessor’s murder. The assassin, Charles Guiteau, had shouted “Arthur is president now!” upon murdering Garfield. He knew how it worked didn't he? Arthur’s tenure lasted from September 1881 to March 1885 when he was succeeded by Grover Cleveland (qv).

Arthur’s most notable actions in office included the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act and passing the first general federal immigration law.

Arthur is lucky to be included in this catalogue. Had his moustached drooped an inch lower he would have been disqualified under the Burnside Rule (see A Note on Qualification).